Yankees' Ryan McMahon, struggling with a .119 batting average, hit a crucial two-run homer in the eighth inning to help secure a 4-2 victory over the Royals. His performance turned boos into cheers at Yankee Stadium.
NEW YORK – Out of Friday night’s starting lineup, Ryan McMahon busied himself in the batting cage.
“Probably six out of seven innings I was in there taking swings,’’ said the Yankees’ third baseman, desperate to find a way out of an ice-cold start to 2026.
“No secret, I’ve been struggling a little bit,’’ said the lefty-hitting McMahon, who found himself in a critical eighth inning spot.
Subbed in for late-game defense, McMahon turned the boos at Yankee Stadium to cheers as he lifted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning – his first extra-base hit of the year.
After Yankees closer David Bednar saved a 4-2 win against the Kansas City Royals, McMahon revealed how much his empty start – with a .119 batting average – weighed on his mind.
“You want to play good for the men in the room with you,’’ said McMahon. “It doesn’t feel good letting your brothers down, especially the guys you’re grinding with every single day.
“I’ve been sick and tired of it, honestly.’’
Apr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Maybe that one swing unlocks something or at least restores some confidence for McMahon.
Ryan McMahon spent time in the batting cage, taking swings to address his struggles.
He hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, marking his first extra-base hit of the year.
Before the game, Ryan McMahon had a batting average of .119.
The Yankees won the game against the Royals with a final score of 4-2.
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Or maybe he’s still a work-in-progress, adjusting to a newer (less wide) batting stance and the other subtle changes he’s been working on.
“This game is super humbling,’’ said McMahon. “All you can do is keep working and whatever happens, happens.’’
What happened with two out in the eighth was that McMahon lifted a 2-1 changeup by righty Alex Lange the opposite way, and watched it just carry over the left field wall on a windy night.
“Just trying to get a pitch I could handle and put a good swing on it,’’ said McMahon, following a sharp Ben Rice single to right.
The most consistently productive hitter through the Yanks’ first 20 games, Rice’s two-run homer – his sixth of the year - off starter Michael Wacha provided a 2-0 lead in the fourth.
But the sight of McMahon hitting his first homer of the year ignited the entire team.
“Watching that one fly out of there – just so excited, so happy for him,’’ said Rice. “I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
“We’re always hitting at the same time,’’ Rice said of their early sessions, beginning five hours before game time. “I see all the work he puts into it. He’s a ballplayer, man.’’
Apr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
After two middle-of-the-road, five-inning starts, Cam Schlittler was mostly sharp through six innings.
“I’m still building up,’’ Schlittler said of his 93-pitch effort. “Overall, I felt pretty good.’’
A gusting wind might have altered center fielder Trent Grisham’s course, contributing to his sixth-inning error – a ball that bounced off the heel of his glove at the warning track.
That led to an unearned run off Schlittler, who was rescued in the seventh.
After allowing the first two Royals to reach base, lefty reliever Brent Headrick – making his team-leading 13th appearance – held the Yanks’ 2-1 lead.
Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-out, solo homer off Camilo Doval tied it in the eighth, adding some further angst about the Yankees’ bridge to Bednar.
But it set up McMahon’s heroics, getting 44,244 fans on his side.
“Felt he moved the needle in the last week with what he’s working on,’’ said Boone, who felt McMahon’s homer was important for his psyche.
“Look, he’s had success in the league for a while, so he knows he’s capable. But when you’re going through it, it can be tough.’’
It's been a rough start, too, for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Austin Wells, still batting under .200, along with Trent Grisham.
The difference is, McMahon - in a platoon with Amed Rosario - was already losing playing time against righty starters. He was on the bench Thursday afternoon despite Yankees' lefty Max Fried getting the start, when McMahon's Gold Glove caliber defense is even more valuable.
"To win the game. That’s what’s the most fun,'' McMahon said of maintaining a big-picture viewpoint.
"Coming back in here and celebrating with the guys – whoever got the big hits, the big pitches - it’s fun to celebrate with the guys that you grind with.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: "Sick and tired'' of an unproductive start, Yankees' Ryan McMahon comes through